Marathon Weekend Begins

Wednesday morning.......day of departure. Going home and knowing we will have a lot on our plate for the next four or five days. It will be delicious but we will certainly be full by Monday. We will have several kids and grandkids home and will be busy doing this and that. It is always so good to see one's kids especially when seeing them doesn't occur very often. I don't know what we would do without the ones that live near us. Life would be so empty. But the times the others come home is special to all of us.

We will leave our dear friends here in Flint in a few minutes. It has been a good visit. I felt there was an urgency to seeing these friends once again. We trust them to the care of our heavenly Father. The Lord has been gracious to them in many ways, but one particular way is that their neighbors watch over them like hawks. Neighbor Ron mows their grass and fixes anything that breaks. Ron and Irene check on the the Jolly's each day a couple of times and care for their dog as if he were their own. What a comfort it is to those of us that love them that there is help for them only a few feet from their front door.

In a few hours when we get to Stevensville, we will get three of our grandkids whom live there. They will come home with us and with that our marathon weekend will begin. I'm looking forward to seeing our kids interact and seeing the grandchildren have fun with each other. Family is such a gift. Actually, family is the Lord's idea and so it has to be good. When it isn't good there is something broken. Our family isn 't exempt from breakage. We have had our share of hurts and disappointments and there are a few things we would change if we could. On the other hand, the blessings we enjoy through our family are countless. We thank God for each member.

At The Jolly's

The sound in our ears is that of the pitter patter of rain on the alumminum car canopy outside the front door of our friend's home. As we sat out under that canopy, Ken said, "My dad would love this". Ken's dad loved to sit outdoors watching it rain. He died at the age of 65, just six months after my mother died. Our kids thought their lives were in chaos as they lost two grandparents in six months. They were still in grade school, so were quite young to experience the losses. I muse sometimes about how much Ken's father would have enjoyed our family. Ken was an only child so his parents weren't used to such a sizeable clan as ours. Grandpa got to see four of our eight kids and his buttons popped when he spoke of them. Ken and I discussed under the canopy that we wish his father could have lived to enjoy the pleasure of our kids and grandkids for a longer time. I'm not sure he could have survived the stress of many years of struggle but he certainly would have been pleased at this point. We are so blessed to have kids that we can be proud to have parented.

We slept well last night in the bed of our friends. The day is now ahead of us and we wonder how we will spend it. I suggested we seek out a Red Robin restaurant today. Wilma loves hamburgers and I think she would enjoy the experience. She seemed up to that. My heart just grieves when I see the suffering she is experiencing. She doesn't move without pain. I hear her sighing often and it is one of those sighs that says without words that she isn't less than comfortable. Poor soul. Her husband is indeed her helper and is so patient and kind with her. His care for her is a blessing to witness and a good example for us and anyone.

Wilma mentioned she was going to try to get in to see her chiropractor today. She suggested Ken and I doing our own thing for awhile or else I could take her and let the guys just hang out. I told her I thought it would be good if we would give Leroy a break. I am more than happy to take her and that would give the girls as well as the guys time alone.

One of the things we have come to expect each morning we are with the Jolly's is the sound of Leroy's voice in prayer. He sits at his computer and writes out his prayers even as he speaks them. I told Ken this morning that Leroy was praying for everything one could think of. Ken said, "And even things other people wouldn't think of". He is a dear man of God who takes prayer as a serious discipline. Any one on Leroy's prayer list has to be blessed.

It's All About "We"

I woke early today. Had to make hay while the sun was shining. We were to leave for Michigan around 9 o'clock. I had two beds to clean the sheets and remake and plenty of other stuff I hadn't done while Kendra was home. We spent most of the week playing. It is good to play once in awhile. I think I've done more than my share of playing this summer but then it seems every summer is spent doing many very enjoyable things.

Last night we had tornado warnings in our area. I think our kids were more concerned than we were. We got a couple of calls from kids far away who heard that neighboring counties were under a warning. One of our little Michigan grandaughters called. As soon as she answered I knew who it was because her little sister was yelling, "I want to talk". Anna wanted me to know there were warnings of bad storms in our area and she wanted us to be safe. Her dad spoke with me then and told me that on the way home from church last evening, Anna said, "We don't get to see Grandpa and Grandma much anymore." She is so right. Their family is super busy and so are we and so the two rarely meet. Fairly sad. But surprises are always nice and we had a surprise today. We hadn't thought about our trip to Flint would bring us within two miles of Anna and her family. We called about a half hour out and said we would be stopping for hugs and kisses on our way through. The little girls were standing with expectation in the picture window when we arrived. We spent about a half an hour with our son and four of his five children. Mommy was gone to a doctor's appointment. We had such a sweet few moments with them. We decided that we will pick up at least three of the kids on the way back on
Wednesday so they can spend more than the one day Dad and Mom can be in town. They plan to come on Saturday but this way the kids will get more time to play with the cousins they don't see often. Anna looked at our new to us van and asked, "Grandma, why did you get a van?" I answered that I thought it was probably to haul around our grandkids. She liked that idea.

We arrived at our friends around four o'clock. We were delighted to see precious people we had lived next door to around forty years ago. They are in their eighties now and Wilma suffers from a great deal of pain due to arthritis and back problems. It hurts to see her hurt. God send his grace to help her in her time of need. We enjoyed a meal in a nearby restaurant and then went home for cake and ice cream. Now we just enjoy the visit.

Life is all about relationship, isn't it? Today the relationship began with my relationship with my husband when we got up together and began to share the day. Then it was time to nurture relationship with my heavenly Father. Then we shared life with John and the kids and also our friends here. These are the relationships that will carry on through eternity. It is of prime importance to me.

Just Life (and Enjoying It)

It's been a VERY busy week. I feel like I'm going to have a moment to come up for air later today and then plunge into an even busier week. Kendra has been home this week and we have done many things. In addition to garage saleing and going out for lunch and dinner a few times, we bowled three games one morning. I felt the results of bowling exercise for several days. Actually, today is the first time I got out of my car without making sound effects. You know the kind, "ugh" "Ohhhhhhh" "OOoooooo". I was even talking to myself yesterday while we went to about 25 or 30 garage sales. After I heard my own noises, I'd say, "You have to stop that, it sounds so old". Today, I am a new woman, at least where the muscles affected by bowling are concerned.

(My biggest treasure attained yesterday is a William Roger's silver plate silverware, a 12 place setting. I picked it up for twenty dollars and spent an hour polishing it yesterday afternoon. It is a beautiful set and I enjoy just lifting the lid of the case and viewing the sparkles. Can't wait to use it when guests arrive)

The worship team I lead was on the schedule for today. It was children's ministry day so we sang songs children have sung over the years. It was great fun and by the sounds of the congregation singing, the people enjoyed it and lifted their voices in joyful praise. We sang "The Tree Song" which was written by the blind musician, Ken Medema. How a blind man can write the words to that song is beyond my understanding. The song draws a comparison of a healthy tall tree to a person with deep roots in God's Word and Way. I love the song. "I have roots growing down to the water, I have leaves growing up to the sunshine, and the fruit that I bear is a sign of the life in me. I am shade for the hot summer sundown; I am nest for the birds of the heaven, I'm becoming what the Lord of trees has meant me to be, a strong young tree." These chorus words have such deep meaning for the children's ministry of the church. We strive to teach kids how to grow roots and leaves and bear fruit in and for the kingdom of God. I believe we accomplished something significant toward that end today in our worship service. The focus was on kid's relationship with God and I think they felt His love today. Would that they could feel the love of Jesus in every service. Sometimes we adults think real church is for us. Jesus sets us straight on that in Matthew 19 where he rebukes the disciples for making kids feel that Jesus was too busy for them. Funny how quickly we forget the truths of those Bible stories. They were meant for deeper meanings than just a nice story.

We had eleven around our dinner table this noon. The menu included a beef roast, mashed potatoes, corn, watermelon, jello with mandarin oranges (family favorite), and sour creamed cucumbers (delicious). Lauri brought a big bowl of homemade tomato salsa and chips. Most everything was eaten up and we all enjoyed bantering around the table. Great moments in the life of a family.

Tomorrow we will go to Flint Michigan to visit a couple who are very dear to us. They were our neighbors in town when our second child and first son, John, was born. I remember walking over with my beautiful baby boy in a white sweater outfit bursting with pride. Over the few years we shared the same boundary line, we became deep friends. Leroy Jolly was an English teacher at the high school I went to but didn't arrive there until I graduated. His wife, Wilma, taught grade school in a town some miles away. Leroy was Baptist minister first and an English teacher second. We shared faith often and through our sharing developed a mutual love. It grieves us that Wilma continues to experience intense pain from her back. She has gone through a great deal of physical turmoil the last few years. I promised her last January that when February was over, we would come to visit. Wellllll, it is past February and we still haven't found a good weekend to go BUT, we will go tomorrow and come back on Wednesday just in time to go to Midway and gather up our dear children.

Jay and his son Austin are coming in about 7:40 p.m. and Sherri and Don and their two children, Whitney and Aidan are coming in around eleven. They will spend the rest of the week with us. John and Kim and their family are coming on Saturday so we will be big in number and there will be much jovial fun and family frolic. We look forward to our fellowship during both visits, first with our elderly friends and then with our kids and their's.

I'm going to take a nap. I think I need it. Smile.

Sometimes Life is Hot and Dry

I've had a very slow start this morning. We, for no good reason, got up late. The last couple of mornings I had been giving God my leftovers so I committed to giving him the early morning today. I watched Joyce Meyer and learned about the danger of taking offense. John Bevere the author of "The Bait of Satan" was her guest. He talked about how we set up ourselves to take offense when we have expectations of others of which they are not aware. I had to "amen" that insight. If I expect nothing, there won't be much at which I can take offense. I tucked that information in my heart and thought how I could start anew with some.

When Kendra got up we had some breakfast together and visited awhile. I shared with her how someone I love is going through a very difficult time with depression. Last evening, I talked with the my loved one, he/she shared with me disappointments he/she has had with some of the close people in his/her life. I began to make a correlation between his/her hurts and the expectations he/she has for those that love him/her. With the busy lives we live and the miles that seperate family members, it is really difficult to meet some of expectations placed upon us. Kendra and I talked a bit about how we could help. Obviously, prayer is the biggest help we can give. To enlist God's help for someone is far greater than attempting something on our own. Then we talked about some practical ways we may be able to help. Calling more often. Sending cards. Perhaps sending a gift. All of these may help this one know that he/she is loved not only by God but by us. God help us help him/her.

I walked outdoors and saw that I had been neglecting my flower pots. It has been so hot and dry, there hasn't been any joy in tending them. It shows. They became less green and beautiful and more and more limp and ugly. I took a shears and cut off the straggly stuff. Hopefully they will rejuvinate.....Then I was reminded of the comparison. My precious one has been going through a very hot and dry time in his/her life. There hasn't been any joy in making a connection with him/her because there was no vibrance in him/her. He/she was drying out and shriveling up from grief. It became less and less desirable to contact him/her. One didn't know how to help. He/she seemed to wish to cut off the outside world. Now they wonder where everyone has been. A vicious cycle. Now that the confession is made, perhaps he/she will rejuvinate. It is my prayer that my precious one will again become connected with those he/sheloves. The connection will be more in spirit than physically. We have never left him/her. We have always been here for him/her. Pain had put a fog between his/her awareness of our love and the actual reality of it. Lord, help our precious one to feel your love first, ours after that through your grace.

Sixty five Years Ago............

It's been difficult to get to this blog this morning. The phone is ringing off the hook with well wishes from many of those I love. Thank you to all for the birthday smiles being flashed my way. I thought this morning how grateful I am to be alive. I've had a close call and a few scares. I've never felt "ready" as some talk of. Oh yes, I'm saved and have complete assurance that I will spend "forever" with Jesus, but I'm still enjoying my life. Some make me feel guilty to talk so but then I remind myself that God created us to LIVE. I love the people in my life, my husband, my children and spouses, their children and of course, I still have my father and his wife to love as well. Then there are the friends whom I love, dozens of them. I am so grateful for friends. Sometimes we need friends with whom we can share those struggles that we can't share with family. It's just the way it is. Of course there are many things families share that one wouldn't share with a friend. Family members and friends fill different needs in our lives.

A couple of things I would like to remember this morning.......

My mother died at fifty seven years old. I have already lived eight years longer. I praise God for that extra time and ask him for more years that I can enjoy with those I love. So today, I celebrate the gift of LIFE.

I'm still with the man that I fell in love and married nearly 45 years ago. I'm thankful for that. I'm sure our children are thankful for that, also. An intact family is the best kind of family. Thank you for those graces, Lord. It hasn't always been easy but God has always made a way.

The Lord has been so good to us and particularly to me. I admitted to someone the other day, I think it was one of my daughters that I know I'm spoiled. I don't mean that I've rotted but I mean that my husband and my kids are oh so good to me and I sense they want me to be happy.

I enjoy good health today. There are limitations but I feel great and praise the Lord for strength when I get up in the morning. My muscles reminded me when I arose this morning that they allowed me to bowl three games yesterday but I could still get up and carry on. Thank you, Lord.

I used to fight old age. I mean I wouldn't admit my age for anything. I always told my students that I was eighty seven and that would be all they would find out. Today, I am sixty five years old. I don't care how many people know it. God has given me the grace to embrace my age and thank Him for the blessing it represents. No more pretending.

I just tried on a new swimsuit to get Kendra's approval. Gotta have those daughter's approval, you know. As I looked into the mirror I was reminded that the body doesn't look like it once did. Then I smugly thought, "For sixty five, I don't think it is too bad". When one looks around, one can always find worse, so that's what I've been doing. No, just kidding. But again, I'll embrace it, cellulite and all.

I live in a land of freedom and plenty. Where else in the world do common people go out for lunch and dinner all in the same day? We are so blessed. I am so blessed. Last night we went to the river restaurant for my birthday dinner. Today, we will go out for lunch somewhere, don't know where that will be yet. Then tonight, who knows??? God is good.

The Long Awaited August First

It is August first today. The summer has flown and by God's grace I don't feel a sadness as I usually do. At this time of the summer I would begin my usual summer end grief. I would be going back to school and the days of my freedom would be in count down. Now each morning when I rise, my thoughts fly to the fleeting of time and then I remember. I am not going back this year. My mind mellows and I enjoy the day. It wasn't that I didn't like my job. I really did. I received as much from the job as I gave but it is time to turn my heart toward home.

There is another huge reason why I'm grateful this is August first. Six weeks ago Ken got a letter in the mail from the insurance company which carried me (he has been on Medicare since last December). It claimed that we had missed a payment and that it was cancelling my insurance. Ken had been struggling with them over some payments they hadn't made on my last claims and I think he got so involved in the daily conversations that he forgot to make a payment. He doesn't forget payments so it was a shock that was bigger than we could believe. The company didn't in any way remind him or let him know that a payment was late. Why would they, this was their opportunity to cut the strings. Now to understand the magnitude of this experience, one has to understand that my husband IS an insurance agent. He represents many good companies and he knows what he is doing. This was incredible. How could this happen? What does this mean? Ken made many phone calls to attempt to remedy the situation. They were not going to budge.

After not being able to achieve cooperation with that company, Ken tried several other options. None worked for me. So what this meant was that I was uninsured for six weeks. I thought about the fact that I was now so vulnerable. My health isn't pristine and I was now a sitting duck. Then the Spirit rose in me and I decided, God could care for me and protect me far better than any insurance company. God also impressed upon me that I wasn't to run to other people and share this trial. He said, "Instead of running to the phone, just meet at the throne". Yes, I know I stole that from Joyce Meyer. We did share the situation with a few of our children. One said, "And you plan to go on that big trip without insurance?" That put me at ease, right? I reminded my preacher son that God was bigger than this situation and I would trust the Lord for safety and continued health.

At first it was on my mind often. I didn't take some risks as I usually do because I didn't want to slip on this or fall off that. As the weeks ticked off, I became less concerned. We even went on our big trip and God was faithful in keeping me from accident or harm.

So today is the long awaited August first. Because I have my sixty fifth birthday tomorrow, I am covered by our government as of today. Medicare has me under its umbrella and a second company already has a supplement in place for me. I must confess there is comfort in that. On the other hand, I wish to publicly thank and praise my heavenly Father for caring for me in a way that no other human could. I praise Him for the peace that He gave me in trusting Him.
The one glitch in my summer has turned out to be a great faith builder for me.